Hi TRV
I applied after being here for 6 years almost. (laziness mostly and the fact that there's SO much details and paperwork to supply).
However somewhere I missed either permission to stay in the country in the final year (3 months missing) so I had to wait until I have one full year of legally residing in IE.
So it's something like this:
I entered Ireland in June 2000.
In Mar 2006 I applied.
About two weeks later they confirmed that they received my application and gave me a reference number
Then another week or so later they told me that I don't have 1 year continuous stay before my application. (even though I had 6 year almost but with the gap in the final year)
In August I had that again and forwarded the latest photocopy of my stamps in my passport.
In Sept 2006 (yes, about 5 weeks after qualifying) they sent me the 5 year residency letter. I coulnd't believe it. I didn't even know it's possible. So now I'm in the looong wait for 20-24 months.